box with a secret drawer tutorial

Hi friends.  I have another tutorial for you.  I thought it would be fun to make a little box with a pull out drawer inside.  I started with a white one, and then added some pretty paper and a flower on the outside of the box.  I also made one from some heavy designer paper with a cream colored drawer inside.  The only tools you need are a ScorPal or other scoring tool, scissors, a 1/2" corner rounder & a 1/2" circle punch.

For the drawer, you need a 6-1/8"x7-7/8" piece of card stock.  Score each side at 7/8" and 1-3/4".  Marked in green on the diagram below.

On the short sides, cut on all 4 scores to the 2nd cross score.  On the long sides, cut on the outer scores to the 2nd cut; cut on the inner scores to the 1st cut.  This will remove the 3 corner squares, creating tabs.  Cuts are marked in black.  The highlighted areas are being cut away. 

The sides of the drawers will be double for added durability.  Cut the tabs and the outer sections at a slight angle.  It should look like this.

Valley fold all scores.  Bring the small tabs to the inside and glue them to the adjacent panels on the ends of the drawer.  Then glue all the remaining panels to the inside of the drawer.  The tabs will be hidden between the layers.  You can add pretty paper to the sides and inside bottom of the drawer, if desired. 

For the box, you need an 8-1/2"x7-1/2" piece of card stock.  On the long side, score at 1", 3-3/4", 4-3/4", and 7-1/2".

On the short side, score at 1", 5-1/2", and 6-1/2".

Referring to the diagram below, cut on the score lines as shown, creating tabs and removing highlighted areas.

Cut the small square tabs at a slight angle.  Valley fold all scores.  Use a 1/2" corner rounder to round the corners on the piece extending at the bottom of the diagram.  (I forgot to do that before taking a picture.) 

Fold the left edge in at the 1st score, add adhesive to that folded panel, bring the right side of box over to the edge and flatten to form a tube.  If you are decorating the outside of the box, it's better to do so before you glue the end closed.  However, it is possible to decorate after the box is all put together.  That's what I did. 

Glue the tabs to the outside of the end panel, and then glue the 2nd end panel over the tabs, hiding them between the panels.

On the open end where the flap tucks in, punch a half circle notch in the top panel.  This will make it easier to open the box and pull out the drawer.

I added a flower and leaves to the top of the box.

And here it is with the drawer tucked inside.

On the second one, I added the same paper to the inside and outside of the drawer.

Here they are closed.  When you open the box, finding a drawer inside is a fun surprise.  The dimensions of the box are 4-1/2"x2-3/4"x1".  The drawer is about 1/8" smaller in each direction. 

I hope you've enjoyed my tutorial and make lots of boxes with secret drawers inside.

Thank you so much for taking time to visit today. 

house boxes tutorial

Hi friends.  Sorry it's been so long since I've posted.

The last couple of days I've been working on a little box - shaped like a house.  I know there are some dies out there that you can use to create something similar, but I was sure I could make one without a die.

I remember my dad making little wooden houses and other buildings from 2x4's for my siblings and myself when we were children.  He painted them, including windows and doors.  These little boxes remind me of those.

I wasn't sure what size to make, so I started with a prototype from a JoAnn's flyer, which was 6"x11".  I ended up cutting a half inch off the end.

But, I really wanted it a bit taller, not a lot, just a half inch, so I ended up using card stock that was 6-1/2"x10-1/2".  On the long side, score at 3", 5", 8", and 10".  I used a green marker to show the score lines. 

Then turn 1/4 turn to the left and score at 4" and 6".

Turn 1/2 turn and at 5", mark the top edge, and score across the 2" panels and the 1/2" panel.

Turn 1/4 turn to the left and mark the top edge at 1-1/2" and 6-1/2".

Use a straight edge and bone folder to score diagonally from these marks as shown in the next diagram.

You need to do diagonals in both directions to form the roof peaks.  This is what your score lines should look like. 

Next, cut on all the vertical scores; from the bottom up to the 2nd cross score, and from the top down to the 1st cross score.  The cut lines are in black. 

At this point, you will need to trim away the sections that are shaded below.

On the 3 bottom tabs and the side tab, trim at a slight angle to make fitting easier.  Your house should now look like this.

I proceeded to put the box together and forgot to stamp it.  You really want to do that while it is still flat.  You may want to add designer paper instead of stamping, or get really creative with mixed media.  Any dimensional embellishments can wait until the house is all together. 

Once you have the sides stamped or decorated, you can start putting it together.  I flip it over; fold the 2" and 1/2" panels toward the center.  Using whatever adhesive you choose (I used Tombow Mono multi glue) by putting adhesive on the 1/2" tab.  Fold over the farthest panel and press onto the tab.

To form the roof area, the angled tabs are adhered to the straight flaps.  It is easiest to put them on top rather than underneath.  They will get covered by the roof, so they will not show. 

For the roof, cut a piece of card stock 2"x4-1/4"; score at 2-1/8".  I embossed this one in my Tim Holtz notebook embossing folder, and then inked it with vintage photo distress ink.  You can use any embossing folder you choose, or make shingles using a border punch or die.  I know I want to make one with corrugated cardboard for a roof.  You'll see another house below with shingles using Tim's vintage rooftops die.   

Glue the rooftop onto the house.  It does not have any overhang.  If you want that, you need to cut this piece a bit larger.

Close the house box at the bottom.  Now you can add any other decorations you wish.
I added the designer paper after I had the house all glued together, but it would have been much easier to do it first.  I only added embellishments to one side.  The finished size is 4" high, 3" wide, and 2" deep. 

Here's one I made from the same card stock, but stamped the sides.

And another one from designer card stock.  This is the one with the shingles.

And here they are all together.

I hope you like my tutorial and will try these.  This will make a nice gift box or you could make a whole village.  I know I will be making more.

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

just saying hello

Hi friends.  Today I made a card for last week's alphabet challenge post #2183 on splitcoast.  It was week 26, which meant the letter Z.  A 2nd part of the challenge was to add up the numbers in your zip code & also use the letter that number represented.  Mine added up to 25 (Y). 

I thought I had finished my card, took photos, & started to write this post, when I realized that I had forgotten to do part 2 of the challenge.  Oops!  So back to add some yellow for Y, retake all the photos, crop, etc.... and here I am. 

I made a waterfall card.  It's a fun interactive card that looks really complicated, but actually is not hard at all, if you have some good directions to follow.  Splitcoast has a great tutorial, and there are also others online, including videos.  I used a bit of both, but then made some slight alterations in the measurements to fit the stamp image.  I also made my waterfall mechanism horizontal instead of vertical.  I also added the round tab punch to act as a pull tab. 

Here is the card before you pull the tab to activate the waterfall.  I made some stripes with black and white cardstock.

And as you pull the tab, each image becomes visible. 

The next one is zebra striped paper.

And with the tab fully extended.  

Here is a closeup of the zebra image. 

If you've never made a waterfall card, I recommend that you try it.  It's really a fun card. 

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  Have a great day. 

flying butterfly pop-up card

Hi friends. 

Lately I've been working on cards that are a bit different than your typical A2.  I love cards that have something unique about them.  Splitcoaststampers has a tutorial section that has fun techniques, as well as cards that have unique folds or are interactive.  Of course, there are many other sources for fun cards as well.  Pinterest is another favorite of mine, although sometimes it's disappointing to follow a link only to find no instructions. 

The instructions for this card I have to show you today were found on Jill Berry's blog.  The way the card is put together makes the butterfly wings flap.  Very fun. 

I made one for my man for valentines day, and he couldn't figure out how to make the wings flap, so I decided to add the word pull on each edge. 

Isn't it fun.  If I knew how to do a video, I'd show it in action, but I haven't figured that out yet.  Maybe someday... 

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by. 

corner butterflies

Hi friends.  I've been in a creative mood lately, so I've actually been making some cards.  Of course, some of them are for upcoming classes, but a few have been just for fun. 

I've been browsing through the tutorial section on splitcoast to get some ideas.  I love cards that have special folds or that are interactive.  The decorative corner card is a very easy fun card that stands on its own.  I made my first one to use in class last month.  Then I made one for a get well card, but forgot to take a picture.  This one uses the same background as the get well card.  The background is made from strips that are trimmed off cardstock when creating layers.  These all started as ivory, the same color as the card base, but I swiped them with different colors of ink (mostly distress), and then sponged some gathered twigs distress ink on all the edges.  Sometimes, I just make up a bunch of them, so they are ready to go.  They make a great faux wood background. 

 

The butterflies were in my stash -- you know, when you make more than you need.   

All I needed to add was the sentiment.  

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

double gate fold card

Hi friends.  Recently splitcoaststampers posted a tutorial for a double gate fold card.  Since I had been wanting to make one, it was the push I needed.  However, I did not follow the tutorial.  I wanted to use dies to make a different shape.  So I picked a die that was close in size to an A2 card (spellbinders labels 29). 

Using the largest die in the set, I cut one from white cardstock and two from designer paper.  I scored both pieces of designer paper down the center and folded them with the printed side out.  Then I created hinges from narrow strips of white cardstock (folded down the center), and I glued the hinges to the sides.  Although the hinges show a little, I don't think it diverts attention from the shape of the card. 

I stamped the flower (blended bloom - SU) on white cardstock and sponged the red ink on.  I wanted a really vibrant color, so I went over it again using a sponge dauber, which is more dense.  Then I used a dauber in the center with yellow ink.  Only half the flower is glued to the card, so that it overlaps the front, but you can still open the card. 

Thank you so much for taking time to visit. 

a card or two

Hi friends.  I don't know where the time has gone.  Somehow, more than a month has gone by & I haven't blogged.  I made two cards this week that weren't for one of my classes.  They were for the technique challenge on SCS.  The challenge was for a cute little fold up on the front of the card. 

 

When I looked at the instructions, I thought they sounded more complicated than was necessary, so I changed mine a bit.  I cut a piece of cardstock 3" x 8.5" and scored it at 2", 4", and 6", so that when folded, the back panel extended 1/2" above the rest.  Also, instead of using ribbon, I used hemp twine & used a punched circle with a brad to wrap it around.  

The folded panel is perfect for using a tall stamp.  Since I have many of the Prima mixed media doll stamps, I thought they would work great.  

School started on Tuesday, so I made the girly girl card for the neighbor girl across the street.  And her brother, who plays all kinds of sports, got a super jock card.  

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by. 

pirates & treasure

Hi friends.  The current VSN on SCS is called I treasure You.  The first challenge of the mini weekend is a color challenge - sand and blue.  I printed out a digital image and made a z-fold card. 

I colored the image with copic markers with some white gel pen highlights .  The sentiment is computer generated. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.